Halloween 2013: Cross Cultural Holidays

A German candy (like gummy bears) made in Japan
 with the common R for an L mistake

Tonight we went to a faculty kids' Halloween party in "the backyard" at school.  It was supposed to be two weeks ago, but we have had a crazy fall of typhoons and rain, so it the first date was cancelled due to rain.  Since we had Fall Break last week, it was rescheduled until tonight. Maximo and Lola didn't know any difference.  I think they'd dress up every day of the year with or without the promise of candy anyways.

The kids had a great time.  Before we went to the party, I did a role play with Lola to make sure she remembered what she had to do to trick or treat.  She seemed to remember the "trick or treat" party and I loved her Japanese response of "arigato" at the end. (So of course, I had her repeat it for the camera).  She got a little confused during the actual trick-or-treating tonight because most everyone was sitting with their doors open, so she didn't have a chance to knock.

Halloween is a holiday that is definitely recognized in Japan.  In general, Japanese people like to dress up and there is always Halloween-like displays at the stores, including candy and costumes. But, it is not common for Japanese kids to trick-or-treat like John and I did growing up. However, there is a huge festival on our island for Halloween where kids dress up, but it's mostly eating great street food and doing other festival games (which our family got to enjoy this year). There is a kids' costume parade at the Rokko Island Halloween Festival, but the line/wait is always horrendous, so we've never participated.  The kids are happy to just dress up and munch on food on sticks for two days (the adults are too!).

Saddling up for the Halloween Party

Going to Trick-or-Treating
(John went as "Old Spice")

Maximo's Halloween Bag.   I labeled it in English and he did it in Japanese.

We love it that Maximo and Lola have some of the same traditions we had as kids, especially with interesting Japanese or Peruvian (or where ever is next) spin on holidays and traditions.